2017-10-10 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
October 10, 2017
The October meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday,
October 10, 2017, at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order – Chair Pat Hinderscheid called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call – The following Commissioners were present: Chair Pat Hinderscheid, Commissioners Steve
Goldade, Ira Kipp (arrived at 6:58 pm), Bob Klepperich, Stephanie Levine, David Miller, and Nissa Tupper.
Also present student representative Clair Dunham. Staff present: Assistant City Administrator Cheryl
Jacobson and Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek.
2a. Introduction of Nissa Tupper
Chair Hinderscheid introduced Ms. Nissa Tupper as the newest Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Commissioner Tupper shared a brief account of her background and experience.
3. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented
4. Approval of Minutes from September 12, 2017
Motion Miller/Second Levine to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2017 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting. AYES 6: NAYS 0
5. Unfinished and New Business
5a. Emerald Ash Borer Policy Discussion
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek shared the City of Mendota Heights Ash Tree Management Policy that
had previously been adopted on May 24, 2016. The current policy does address if an Ash Tree has been
identified as being infected with EAB in the City Parks, that the City would remove the trees and replace
with a variety of species. Boulevard trees would be cut down but would not be replaced.
An inventory of a majority of the City right-of-ways and parks for Ash Trees was completed in August
2015.
Mr. John Boland, with the Public Works Parks Department, is a certified applicator to treat EABs. For the
City to treat some Ash trees itself would require an upfront cost of approximately $800 to purchase the
necessary equipment and then would cost approximately $5 per diameter inch of tree to treat and
would require treatment every two years.
Staff is looking for direction on how to determine what trees should be saved versus what should be
removed and if removed, whether or not they should be replaced. Some criteria to keep in mind is
whether the tree is located in a heavily wooded area or in a stand-alone situation. The Commission
could also decide to let the Parks Supervisor use his discretion. Input from the public and others on any
particular tree would be welcomed.
Budgeting sources; the Parks Department has $30,000 budgeted in 2018 for tree removals but would
only cover trees that a contractor is hired to remove. This budgeted amount covers all trees within the
City – not just Ash Trees. If deemed small enough for city staff to remove, there would be no additional
charge – it would be considered as part of their regular activities. From a cost benefit analysis, the City is
part of a study group through the University of Minnesota trying to determine if the infection spreads
through a wall of treatment. Treatment effectiveness is undetermined at this point. A tree with at least
50% of its canopy intact is a good candidate for treatment.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions on the number of trees, their location and age, how long the
treatments would last and their effectiveness, where the infected trees are located, the possibility of
partnering with the public, and cost analysis on treatment versus removal.
Suggestion was made to take a count of the number of Ash Trees that are actually located on City
property within the boulevards and then schedule a treatment program for any of them that may be
infected now and in the future. Also, if a tree is located on private property and has to be removed
because of infestation, encourage the homeowner to replace the tree with the goal of ‘no net loss of
trees’.
The Commission directed staff to:
Research and provide the number of trees that had been planted in the City parks within the last 12-
24 months, regardless of species;
To rework sections IV and V of the policy, keeping in mind the goal of keeping the nice aesthetics
that the City enjoys;
Talk with a contractor and find out what they would charge to treat the trees;
Check with West St. Paul on how and where they received the deal for homeowners to treat their
trees;
Research the possibility of providing a program that the City could partner with to remove the
younger Ash Trees from private properties but then offer a discount or some kind of City-wide
pricing program on a set number of species that could be put in as replacements;
Research the cost and hassle needed to treat the older trees for a number of years – sort of lessen
the liability down the road
5b. Ivy Hills Park – Pond Dredging and Drainage Improvements
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek shared improvements that staff has been doing at Ivy Hill Park. There
has been a lack of stormwater treatment on this pond, which collects drainage from West St. Paul and
the Dodd/Delaware intersection – a regional pond. This is the treatment source before it outlets on the
other side of Sylvandale Road and becomes part of Ivy Hills Creek. Staff received a number of calls
regarding a bad smell coming from the pond, which they investigated and pumped down a couple of
times this summer. They discovered that the pond is full of sediment.
Staff proposed that the pond be dredged out, which would require the following steps:
1. Since this pond does show up on as a natural wetland on the NWI (federal wetland inventory), a
wetland delineation would need to be completed. Staff has received consultant approval to
begin the delineation project
2. Once completed, staff would need to send the delineation report out to all of the other agencies
for concurrence
3. Complete sediment testing looking for potential contaminants. If free of contaminants, there is
a low area that is currently ponding water on the north end of the park where the sediment
could be placed; thus potentially saving the City from installing a storm sewer system
4. Permitting process
5. Hiring a contractor to dredge the pond
6. Restoration work in the spring
None of the work listed above would take the nearby baseball field off-line.
5c. Parks, Recreation, and Programming
Pickleball Courts – Chair Pat Hinderscheid noted that there had been some conversations about
Pickleball and Commissioner Steve Goldade had forwarded an article showing how it is really catching
on and has become very popular. Chair Hinderscheid suggested having a discussion about having a
dedicated Pickleball Court somewhere.
Commissioner comments:
Let’s keep the ones we have going – Marie and Friendly Hills – in the paved hockey arenas. It was
noted that there has been a problem with water at Marie and that Friendly Hills is not striped for
pickleball.
Question was asked as to how often the courts are used for pickleball – is the capacity keeping up
with the demand.
The hockey arrangement is a half-measure. Conversation should be had with actual pickleball
players to determine if the hockey arenas are working for them.
It was agreed that research should be completed to determine the need for additional pickleball courts
– get feedback from residents.
6. Reports
6a. Parks and Recreation Commission Activity Report
Chair Hinderscheid had shared the log of action items with the Commissioners and asked if there were
any questions or comments; of which there were none.
6b. Par 3 Update
Ms. Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator provided an update on the facility by stating that it
continues to be open as transition occurs into the fall months. Course maintenance was performed on
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September 25 and 26 with aerating taking place. That project was wrapped up on September 27.
Par 3 has been working with the Master Gardeners to look at how to clean up the natural garden area
and the rain garden. They provided a list of recommendations. Course maintenance staff is working on
the fall items provided. In the spring, the Master Gardeners will hopefully being doing a volunteer event.
Fall hours have started, which 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the fall rates in place. The plan is to close the
course on October 31.
Finances and utilization of the course has dropped significantly; however, the number of greens fees in
September 2017 was up 16% over September 2016 but down 38% from August 2017.
Questions were asked about other months year-over-year numbers and other creative ways of
promoting use of the course over the fall and winter.
6c. Recreation Updates
Ms. Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator explained that there was supposed to be a discussion
with Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation this month; however, it was rescheduled to the
November meeting.
Details for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new pedestrian tunnel was included in the Commissions
information packet; along with a flyer on the “Name the Tunnel” contest.
Recreation staff has been working on MEA-break field trips, partnering with the Cities of West St. Paul
and South St. Paul. Sadly, because of a lack of participants, the Crayola Experience and Swimming event
scheduled for Wednesday, October 18 has been cancelled.
The Bunker Hills Stable event on Thursday, October 19 is still available. Information and sign up is
available at City Hall or on the City’s website \[www.mendoa-heights.com\]
Information on the Bench Dedication Program, Recreation Program Coordinator Position Posting,
Shuffleboard, and Marie Park Tennis Courts was also included in the report.
7. Announcements and Commission Comments
Commissioner Goldade welcomed Nissa Tupper to the Commission. Kudos were expressed for the
Bench Donation program. He also loved the idea of a tree planting program to continue to plant trees in
the City. He also expressed his excitement for the tunnel grand opening.
Commissioner Kipp would like to have more information about the cost of the possible replanting of a
different variety of trees to replace the Ash Trees that will be lost to the EAB.
Commissioner Klepperich believes that the discussion on the Emerald Ash Borer was very helpful and
expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ruzek for putting up with all of their questions. He also welcomed
Nissa Tupper to the Commission.
Commissioner Miller also welcomed Ms. Tupper. He noted that it has been nice to have conversations
with more information available then was had at times in the past. To be data-driven is a very helpful
and necessary thing.
Commissioner Levine echoed the welcome to Ms. Tupper. One of the things that she learned is that
when one is cleaning their garden in the fall to let some of the stuff sit rather than raking up everything
as this becomes good homes for pollinators to winter. Also, with all of the conversations around
pickleball and tennis, etc. keep in mind that the schools are doing this as well and they have facilities
that could be made available. She also did a shout-out to the Henry Sibley High School tennis team for
doing a bang-up job this season.
Commissioner Tupper expressed her appreciation to everyone for their warm welcome to the
Commission. She also liked all of the information available as she gets used to all of the process and the
issues.
Chair Hinderscheid echoed everyone’s welcome to Nissa Tupper. He was also glad that the Commission
is taking another look at the Emerald Ash Borer issue. He appreciated Mr. Ruzek for being in attendance
and feels that there is a strong connection between the Park and Recreation and the Public Works.
8. Adjourn
Motion Levine/Second Miller to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 PM. AYES 7: NAYS 0